The last word on shoring with Holmatro

by AmericasBreaking NewsFirefighting Equipment

Mattijn de Graaf, R&D Director of the Holmatro Group, explains the design philosophy behind OmniShore, Holmatro’s all-new rescue shoring system

Tell me about Holmatro – what work do you do in the fire and safety sector?

Holmatro was founded in the Netherlands in 1967. We are a leading global supplier of rescue equipment and services. We have around 300 employees, located in the Netherlands, USA and China. Next to these three headquarters, our brand is represented in more than 160 countries by our extensive global sales and service network, consisting of more than 400 active authorized business partners.

Holmatro’s rescue equipment is mostly used in the fields of vehicle rescue, disaster rescue and special tactics. To make sure that our users can fulfil their specialized tasks, we aim to be the best-in-class industry market leader. We do this by using game changing technology.

What is OmniShore and why was it developed?

OmniShore is an all-new rescue shoring system, designed from the ground up. It was developed to make rescue shoring operations safer, faster and easier. That is not just a catchphrase, but the key focus of our design philosophy. We wanted to create a system that is compact, intuitive and above all safe.

How does this new shoring system support firefighters during rescue operations?

Holmatro OmniShore is the only solution that helps rescuers overcome all shoring challenges with a system of just six different struts and no fixed length extension pipes. Guaranteed to save weight and space on their truck.

In addition, OmniShore enables first responders to build every construction quickly and easily. Its patented Trident Coupler ensures a safe connection between two struts and offers a seamless setup of lengths up to 17 feet or 5.2 meters.

And finally, Holmatro OmniShore’s patented OmniLock system supports rescuers in monitoring and operating struts from a safe distance. This means less manpower is required and no one needs to be near a moving load.

In what kinds of situations is OmniShore designed to be used?

You can shore it all with OmniShore! It has been designed to do more with less, so with a limited number of components rescuers will be able to handle every shoring operation safely and successfully. Whether it’s vehicle shoring, trench shoring, high directionals or structural shoring, OmniShore can do it all.

In terms of innovation, what do the next few years look like for Holmatro?

Of course, we can’t go into too much detail about the patented innovations that we are working on at the moment. But innovation is in our DNA, so you can expect us to keep coming up with groundbreaking innovations that make the world safer, healthier and more productive.

This exclusive article was originally published in the June 2023 issue of International Fire & Safety Journal. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.

IFSJ Exclusive: Under the hood with Euro NCAP

by Featured NewsVehicles

IFSJ talks to Euro NCAP to find out more about the Euro Rescue App

Euro NCAP recently launched the Euro Rescue App: an app downloadable freely which provides Rescue Sheets and Emergency Response Guides for vehicle emergencies.

A Rescue Sheet is a standardised summary page containing all the crucial information rescuers need to carry out occupant extrication quickly of a vehicle involved the scene of an intervention for road rescue or a vehicle fire. It can be used both online and offline, allowing rescuers to access the information even when there is little or no network coverage at the scene of the crash.

This information includes the location of components (e.g. airbags and pre-tensioners) and high-voltage electrical cables and batteries, all of which could present a hazard to trapped occupants and to the rescuers themselves. Manufacturer emergency response guides contain more detailed instructions to educate and assist first responders during training and are particularly important for alternative fuel vehicles.

App development

The work on the app began in 2012 through a proposal, based mainly on examples from France and Germany, on a standardised layout of the Rescue Sheets insert card for passenger vehicles and light commercial transport vehicles.

The project was formalised in 2014 and the was completed in 2019. ISO 17840 also includes a system of placards for exterior marking of fuel types for buses and other heavy vehicles, including new propulsion types like electric vehicle, hybrids and various types of compressed or liquid natural gas propulsion.

So far 200,000 first responders have downloaded the Euro Rescue app for smartphones in Europe since the launch in June of 2020, meaning 1400 Rescue Sheets designed according to the ISO 17840 standard have been made available to European first responders. The International Association of Fire and Rescue Services (CTIF) has been instrumental in the conception of these Rescue Sheets which help make all road rescue and extrication work safer.

IFSJ sat down with Euro NCAP to find out about the new digital solution.

Can you give me an overview of Euro NCAP – who are you and what do you do?

Euro NCAP provides consumers with an independent assessment of the safety level of the most popular cars sold in Europe. Through a range of tests including crash tests, that monitor adult occupant, child occupant, pedestrian protection and a range of new technologies, this non-profit organisation can offer an up-to-date and a realistic picture of a new car’s safety performance. Tests take place in a network of labs throughout Europe with results monitored by independent inspectors.

Euro NCAP was established in 1997, is supported by eight European Governments, motoring and consumer organisations in every European country and is working closely with automakers in their pursuit of a high star rating. In this way, Euro NCAP has become a catalyst for encouraging significant safety improvements to new car design.

What is the Euro Rescue App and why was it developed?

The Euro Rescue App was developed in close collaboration with manufacturers and through the testing process to provide an accurate picture of the vehicle and its equipment that can be referenced by firefighters and rescue workers at the scene of a car crash. The app became available in 2020.

How does the app work?

Easily accessible, the app provides up-to-date rescue sheets with a technical drawing of the relevant car with its appropriate equipment and design that can be easily downloaded by rescue workers on the move.

How has it evolved over its lifespan?

Euro NCAP has incorporated the Rescue sheets as part of its testing programme. Car manufacturers are rewarded with points to their overall scores when they provide the rescue sheets. This means that they can potentially lose points in their overall rating scores if they don’t provide them in the appropriate format.

Why is it useful for firefighting teams?

It is very useful for firefighters and rescue workers as they can understand very quickly potential risk scenarios, for example in the case that airbags have not gone off or the location of a battery to prevent the risk of fire. Ultimately it is about ensuring that those involved in an accident or trapped in a vehicle can be extricated quickly.

What plans do you have to develop the app further?

Formally the rescue sheets were available in four languages (EN FR DE SP), however from 2023 Euro NCAP will insist on the rescue sheets being made available by manufacturers in all European languages. Some manufacturers are suggesting the use of QR codes to make access to this information even faster.

British firefighters join rescue efforts in Malawi

by Featured News

A team of 27 UK International Search and Rescue (UKISAR) experts have been deployed to Malawi through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

Among them are two members of South Wales Fire and Rescue Service; Station Commander Darren Cleaves and Crew Manager Tristan Bowen.

The team are supporting search and rescue efforts in the aftermath of Cyclone Freddy, which has now become the longest-lasting tropical storm on record. Operating in Bangula, Malawi, the team are involved in the flood response and have successfully rescued a total of 167 individuals today (20 March 2023).

Severe flooding and landslides caused by Cyclone Freddy have resulted in extensive damage across Malawi. More than 350,000 people have been displaced and at least 40,000 houses have been damaged, as well as schools, hospitals and roads.

Base of Operations: A Disaster Responder’s Home

by Breaking NewsIFSJ Exclusives

Bruce Wong, Ambassador to Asia Pacific, Institute of Civil Protection and Emergency Management, looks at setting up the Base of Operations for search and rescue operations

The Base of Operations (BoO) is an important setting in international Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) operations. It allows frontline responders to be fully committed to performing their duties without worrying about resolving daily needs. Nowadays, cross-territorial support is very common in disaster response, such as flood response and wildland firefighting. The USAR experience provides us with a useful example.

When emergency response teams conduct cross-territorial missions, it is not feasible to have ceaseless logistic support since they usually travel a long distance to the disaster scene. They cannot request spare parts from their homebase or easily take rest at home. This means that they must be self-sufficient to ensure they are not a burden to the already overwhelmed place they are trying to assist. The affected place will likely be facing a shortage of power, food, water or other supplies, which is where a BoO becomes a viable solution.

The idea of a BoO stems from USAR. According to the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) Guidelines, which are the recognized global reference documents, the BoO serves as the USAR Teams’ “Big Home” with functions such as headquarters, communication and transportation centre, equipment storage and maintenance hub, canteen, clinic, and accommodation. It applies in international USAR missions since air traffic can usually be controlled in major disasters, but reinforcement is not as easy compared to local operations. This article will look at BoO in USAR operations.

Location of BoO

The Local Emergency Management Agency (LEMA) is responsible for designating the location of the BoO because they are familiar the environment and facilities. In order to rapidly respond to the disaster and reduce journey time and travel distance, the BoO should be set up near the incident site and be easily accessible. In some countries, disaster prevention parks are built for mass evacuation as emergency shelters. These are equipped with a large number of water supply devices, drainages, and open areas making them a suitable location for the BoO.

Entrance and exit

Safety and security are important considerations during times of disaster as the risk of theft may be heightened due to people experiencing poverty and hunger. An entrance gate guard should be stationed to deter these types of crimes. In addition, a decontamination area should also be set up at the entrance gate for effectively preventing any contamination being brought into the BoO, such as bloods or contaminated soil. When the responders return from the incident site they should be required to clean their soles and change their rescue suits to ensure the BoO stays clean.

Command, coordination, communication and transportation centre

Disasters are time sensitive and all responders will be working around the clock undertaking life-saving tasks. For example, the management team needs to plan, coordinate and command the operation through the internal and external meetings based on the latest intelligence from the disaster scene and their homebase. The transport service should also be well-planned in advanced for carrying responders and equipment to and from the incident site. 

To meet these operational demands, strong communication support is necessary and mobile network service is essential as this allows the team to connect to the internet for operational purposes. It also enables footage at an incident site to be instantly transferred to the BoO to provide better command, coordination and communication of the situation. Traditional radio network and Inmarsat telephone are also important because the communication between incident site and a BoO can be maintained in case of network outage.

Equipment storage and maintenance hub

All equipment should be well prepared and in best condition for operation. However, it is unavoidable that repair will be necessary due to minor mechanical problems. The maintenance hub provides a good environment for inspection and quick repairs as well as serving as storage. In addition, the tent can also serve as the issuing and receiving point for equipment. For better delivery, equipment should be stored in weather resistant containers with different labels for easy identification.

Canteen

The duration of overseas USAR deployment is typically 5-10 days depending on the scale of the disaster and the capacity level of the USAR team. Catering is a basic need for every responder because food provides energy for life-saving activities. The canteen also serves as both dining area and a place for responders to socialise, talk and share together while having meal.

For the balance between health and operational need, ease of preparation, sufficient nutrients, freshness and the hygiene conditions of food should be taken into account. Meal, Ready-to-Eat (MRE) is commonly used in the industry. It is precooked, packaged and ready for consumption without prior preparation or cooking. Nowadays, the MRE is available in different flavors including spicy, halal, vegetarian and more options meaning it is not only plentiful but also diverse to suit different culture.

Staying hydrated is essential for human survival. Dehydration increases the risk for heat exhaustion and heat stroke. In the deployment, pre-packed water bins could be a consideration. Alternatively or in addition, a water purification device can also provide a continuously clean water supply in the BoO.

Clinic

Medical support is necessary in a BoO as the responders might not acclimatise during the deployment or, in the worst scenario, the may suffer a work injury whilst on the job. The medical tent provides a clean and comfortable environment for emergency treatment and recovery. Isolation areas should also be set up for infectious disease case.

Accommodation and Bathroom

Inadequate sleeping can seriously affect performance which is why responders need a comfortable environment for high quality sleeping. Different types of accommodation are available on the market, such as 1-2 person camping tent or an inflatable tent which can accommodate 4 to 6 persons. A foldable bed could be used if necessary.

Good personal hygiene is important to prevent the spread of communicable diseases and support positive mental health. The mobile toilet is a must for satisfying basic physiological needs. Portable toilets with wastewater tanks or urine absorbers are commonly used for deployment. In some countries such as Japan a mobile toilet unit converted from lorry may be used.

After a day of hard work, everyone also wants to have a good shower. Nowadays, camp shower can help to provide a comfortable temporary shower – it is easy to set up in a tent quickly and heat up the water after few hours with direct sunlight.

Water supply is a valuable resource in disaster scene which can be found in parks, arenas, football stadiums or via fire hydrants. However, if the infrastructures such as water pipes are damaged, or the BoO is set up in a location where there is lack of water supply, bathing would become be less important.

Formation

It helps to operate the BoO rapidly. More and more USAR teams use rigid framed or inflatable tents because they are both easy to store and set up quickly using only a few people. In recent years, the military techniques also apply to the search and rescue field. A folding-modular hub is one example: this is an integrated module which can be flat packed for transport and be connected with other modules to enlarge workspaces.

Electricity Supply

A mobile generator is the sole solution for providing electricity supply to the BoO. The number of generators and the amount of its fuel are based on individual operation. Noise is a big issue as it might cause disturbance to the responders nearby. It is more acute when generators are operating at night time. Luckily there are inverter generators on the market which can reduce noise emission.

Waste

The management of waste is necessary to protect the environment and maintain hygiene in a BoO. The wastes which come from BoO are solid waste, wastewater, and clinical waste. Usually, the solid waste can be handled as general waste. But the wastewater from cleaning, showering and dining should be as filtered before discharge to sewer as possible. Clinical waste, such as needles, cartridges which have been used as well as surgical dressings should be segregated from other solid waste and be packed by designated containers.

Conclusion

The experience from USAR operation is worthwhile to learn and enhance the capacity for long-distance deployment. However, the BoO setting is flexible and different teams can have their own design regard to the conditions, resources and operational needs at the scene.

This article was originally published in the March edition of IFSJ. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.

Breathing detectors help save lives in Turkey earthquake rescue effort

by Featured NewsFirefighting Equipment

Camero-Tech – a member of the SK Group and a pioneer and world-leader in the design and manufacture of pulse-based UWB micro-power radar ‘Through Wall Imaging’ systems – supplied its Xaver 400 and Xaver 100 systems to the search and rescue expedition sent by the IDF Home Front Command SAR Unit to the disaster area in Turkey.

These systems – which are capable of detecting the breathing of living people buried under layers of debris/ rubble, even without movement – are part of the company’s overall search & rescue kit, which is fully equipped with Camero-Tech’s STTW radar imaging systems, enabling search and rescue teams to detect live objects in disaster scenarios such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and fires.

Amir Beeri, CEO and founder of Camero-Tech, said: “As our hearts go out to all those who have been affected by this tragic event, we are proud that we have been able to assist the rescue efforts, using Camero systems to successfully save lives.

“The technology we have developed over the years, which is usually used in military and law enforcement missions, continues to prove its effectiveness in its original purpose of saving lives. This is not the first time we have witnessed the success of our unique technology in disaster areas; it was also used to locate and rescue survivors following the 2017 earthquake in Mexico.”

How it works

On arrival at the scene of a disaster, Camero’s compact search & rescue kit is ready to be deployed in less than a minute, enabling teams in the field to move agilely even in harsh environments, and to locate life under debris and collapsed buildings.

The kit contains two Camero Xaver 100 systems, a Xaver 400, a XaverNet and various rescue accessories – including a variety of straps, holding devices, and more – that can be used in a variety of situations.

The Xaver 100 is a compact, handheld detector and tracker that provides reliable primary information on the existence of live objects. It facilitates faster go/ no-go decision-making when searching in major disaster areas, such as collapsed buildings with many rooms and voids.

The Xaver 400 is a compact radar-based device that provides accurate, real-time, mission-critical information on live and static objects, indicating their location within a structure. It also provides simultaneous detection of static and moving objects.

The XaverNet is a remote wireless ToughPad that simultaneously controls and monitors up to four Xaver systems, enabling real-time visual data and data recording/ playback in multiple locations within the disaster area. It is the force multiplier that speeds up the process of finding survivors. The critical data can also be used for post-mission analysis and training.

UK firefighters join Turkey search and rescue operation

by Featured News

Teams from UK fire and rescue services have deployed to the Republic of Türkiye to assist with search and rescue operations following the devastating earthquakes.

The 77-strong International Search and Rescue (UKISAR) team is made up of firefighters and staff from 14 fire and rescue services and has been deployed through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

They will be providing specialist technical support and expertise where it is needed most. A team of specialist search and rescue dogs has also been deployed. UKISAR have specialist search equipment including seismic listening devices to detect and locate people, concrete cutting and breaking equipment, propping and shoring tools, listening and heavy lifting equipment.

The team responds primarily to overseas urban search and rescue emergencies on behalf of the UK. Any UKISAR team deployed is self-sufficient upon arrival and provides its own food, water, shelter, sanitation, communications and all necessary equipment to undertake search and rescue operations for up to 14 days.

The team is made up from fire services in: Cheshire, Essex, Greater Manchester, Hampshire, Kent, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, London, Mid and West Wales, Merseyside, Scotland, South Wales and West Midlands.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, said: “The UK is sending life saving kit to Turkey and Syria. This will include vital medical expertise and hygiene kits and also tents and blankets to help people keep warm and sheltered in the terrible freezing conditions they are having to endure on top of the devastation of the earthquakes.

“Our priority is to ensure life saving assistance is given to those most in need, coordinated with the Turkish government, UN and international partners.”

NFCC Chair, Mark Hardingham commented: “The scenes in Türkiye and Syria are devastating to see and sadly the number of people killed and seriously injured has continued to rise.

“The specialist team being deployed will undertake search and rescue work using a range of technical expertise, kit and equipment in a bid to save lives, while supporting other emergency services teams already working tirelessly in the area. The team will undertake work where it is needed most, over the next 14 days.”

Bruce Farquharson is Deputy Assistant Chief Officer for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, and UKISAR Team Manager in Scotland. He said: “The scenes in Turkey and Syria are devastating and our thoughts are firmly with the families, friends and communities who have been affected by these tragic earthquakes.

“Our team will use their specialist skills and a range of technical equipment as they join a wider collective effort in a bid to save lives and they will also be supporting other emergency service teams already in the area.”

Station Commander and UKISAR Lead for South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Darren Cleaves, said: “UKISAR is made up of 14 teams from Fire and Rescue Services across the UK and they respond to international disasters 24/7, 365 days a year.

“As part of the UK team, three firefighters from South Wales have deployed to Turkey and have already commenced operations. They’ll be utilising their specialist knowledge and experience to support search and rescue efforts on the ground.

“We are proud to be able to respond to emergencies and disasters around the world alongside our UK colleagues and our thoughts are with those affected by this tragedy.”

Rescue efforts continue in Turkey and Syria as death toll rises

by Breaking News

Rescue efforts in Turkey and Syria are ongoing as, two days after a massive earthquake, the death toll has risen to more than 9,600.

Rescuers in both countries warned that the death toll would keep rising as some survivors said help had yet to arrive.

The death toll rose above 7,100 in Turkey. In Syria, already devastated by 11 years of war, the confirmed toll climbed to more than 2,500 overnight, according to the Syrian government and a rescue service operating in the rebel-held northwest.

Turkish authorities said 13.5 million people were affected in an area spanning roughly 450 km (280 miles) from Adana in the west to Diyarbakir in the east. In Syria, the quake killed people as far south as Hama, 100km from the epicentre. Turkey’s disaster management agency said the number of injured was above 38,000.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan declared a state of emergency in 10 provinces. Residents in several damaged Turkish cities have voiced anger and despair at what they said was a slow and inadequate response by the authorities.

A lack of resources

Rescue workers have had difficulties reaching the worst-hit areas being held back by destroyed roads, poor weather, a lack of resources and heavy equipment.

The head of the World Health Organization said the rescue efforts face a race against time, with the chances of finding survivors alive diminishing with every passing minute.

Survitec Marine Evacuation System Life Ark gains full-type approval

by Featured NewsProducts

Global Survival Technology solutions provider Survitec has announced that its new Marine Evacuation System (MES) Life Ark has received full-type approval from classification society Bureau Veritas.

Certification of Life Ark, a helical slide-based MES for small to medium-sized passenger vessels, follows the successful completion of stringent design and evacuation trials required under the SOLAS Convention and the EU’s Marine Equipment Directive.

Protecting passengers and crew on  vessels with a freeboard height of up to 23 metres and passenger capacities ranging from 300 to 1,500 persons, such as ferries and expedition cruise ships, Life Ark builds on Survitec’s success and growing market share in the larger cruise ship market, where the company has installed some of the largest dry-shod MES systems on the most advanced cruise ships in the world.

Richard McCormick, AES and MES Product Manager at Survitec, said: “There is demand for an extended service MES solution with high functionality to serve the smaller passenger vessel market. We went back to the drawing board and took a fresh look at how we could adapt our cruiseship evacuation technology to meet the requirements of this market. Bureau Veritas Type Approval means that the smaller passenger vessel segment can now benefit from the same revolutionary helical slide-based MES used in the larger cruiseship segment.”

Andreas Ulrich, Global Market Leader Passenger Ships & Ferries, Bureau Veritas, said: “Marine Evacuation Systems have been proven as a safe and reliable means of survival and Survitec is one of the pioneers having developed such systems. BV is proud to have been chosen as a partner for the new Life Ark and has recently issued a MED TA certificate for the new system.”

Using the fully enclosed, dry-shod helical (spiral) slide design inherent to Survitec’s popular Marin Ark 2 MES and Seahaven AES, Life Ark ensures a safe, rapid and comfortable descent for people of all ages and abilities. There is no restriction on the size of individual users, and crew can ascend the slide to assist passengers if necessary.

Fully enclosed single and double helical slide options are available in an asymmetric arrangement. The Life Ark comprises self-righting approved liferafts for 50, 100, 150 persons, with SOLAS A, B and HSC emergency packs.

Inflation takes place automatically within 60 seconds and minimal crew interaction is needed during this phase. Multiple buoyancy compartments provide stability and safety in the most challenging sea conditions.

IFSJ Exclusive: Small and sturdy with Survitec

by Breaking NewsProducts

Scott Tonks, Maritime Defence Category Manager at Survitec, tells all about one of the most advanced FRBs (Fast Rescue Boats) available for emergency services

Earlier this year, Global Survival Technology solutions provider Survitec introduced the new 420 GP/GPM FR, a new lightweight design inflatable rescue boat capable of rapid single-point inflation to meet the unique demands of waterborne search and rescue operations by the emergency services. IFSJ spoke to Scott Tonks, Maritime Defence Category Manager at Survitec, to learn more about how a greater understanding of how fire and rescue teams handle rescue boats led to the design of the new boat.

Research

Based on military-grade technology, the seven-person boat is unique in that it is the emergency services sector’s first 4.2m long fast rescue boat that can be rapidly inflated using just one nine-litre self-contained carbon air cylinder.

The Survival Technology solution was developed after consultation with the emergency services. To gain a deeper understanding of how rescue boats perform in real operations and to develop an advanced solution capable of meeting market demand, Tonks and his team undertook water rescue modules 3 and 4 to gain much greater knowledge.

‘Module 3, Water Rescue Technician’, helped better understand rescue techniques and equipment first responders use in a swift-water and flood environment. While Module 4, Swift Water and Flood Rescue Operator course, was carried out over the period of a week with a major fire brigade.

“We were able to experience first-hand the situations first responders encounter and better understand the kit they need to do the job. It provided a fantastic opportunity to see what was required of an FRB in a real operational setting, allowing us to develop and design a solution capable of meeting all their needs,” says Tonks.

Development

Using the information from the modules and the on-water experience gained from the emergency services, Survitec began working on the new 420 design to address some of the emergency services’ main challenges, such as getting a boat into remote locations and rapid inflation.

One key consideration in the development was the inflation system. By adopting a system designed for military boat application, Survitec could inflate the 420 GP/GPM FR boat from a single cylinder – the same cylinder firefighters wear on their backs – in just 40 seconds.

“We were able to significantly increase the speed of deployment using a single cylinder resulting in faster emergency response times, potentially saving more lives,” Tonks says.

Survitec, in partnership with Leafield Marine Ltd, redesigned the manifolds to ensure the optimal amount of air goes to each compartment of the boat, minimising the amount of air expelled through pressure relief valves. This also addressed air-loss issues due to fluctuating pressures operating in variable ambient temperatures.

“Changing temperatures is a real issue,” says Tonks. “Pressure varies in colder and warmer temperatures. Our single-cylinder solution is designed to bring the boat up to full pressure in all eventualities.”

As temperatures fluctuate throughout the day, pressure relief valves will let some of that air off to compensate for how we best use valves in varying temperatures, as Tonks attests.

“If a boat is over or under pressure, it’s going to cause issues,” he explains. “The keel is closer to the water, gets saturated, and therefore it will be colder. As a result, it will lose pressure, so we changed the pressure relief valve to be slightly higher than it needs so it will never be under-pressured to cause an issue.”

Durability

Another crucial element of FRB operation was understanding how firefighters handle rescue boats. This was achieved through a partnership with Technical Rescue International. “We noted valves, lifelines and other elements needed to be in a certain position because of where equipment is placed on board; this knowledge was invaluable in designing the boat to facilitate more unique requirements.”

Designed for rescues in fast-flowing waters and areas prone to flash flooding, the 420 GP/GPM FR boat is 4200m long and 1800m wide boat capable of a maximum payload of 903kg.

Manufactured from a durable Hypalon 1670dtex fabric and benchmarked against SOLAS and DEFRA rescue boat standards, the new boat incorporates reinforced grip patches and military-grade C7 interchangeable inflation valves strategically positioned to minimise any air loss during inflation. Any damage to valves can be easily replaced using a simple hand tool.

With multiple flooring options, the 420 GP/GPM FR can be packed and deployed so those first responders can be deployed into the water from vessels, piers and paths and with the FRB inflated in situ.

To emphasise the options available, Tonks refers to a project with a German emergency services unit that required a deck capable of supporting a set of ladders.

“We worked with them to understand how to get a ladder to work on an inflatable floor and hold its position safely,” he explains. “We can design new fittings to ensure they can secure ropes and guidelines.”

Looking ahead, Tonks says that with flash flooding increasing, emergency services will need this FRB to help save lives in areas that are often difficult to access. “Before now, first responders had to tow trailers and launch boats from slipways potentially some distance away from the location of the emergency, which places limitations on water rescue capability,” said Tonks. “With this solution, responders can access the immediate emergency area, get the boat in the water safely and quickly, and get on with the job of saving lives. We’ve been working with several fire brigades during testing stages who are very interested in the product.”

This article was originally published in the January edition of IFSJ. To read your FREE digital copy, click here.

Survitec unveils new fast rescue boat for emergency first responders

by Featured NewsProductsVehicles

Global Survival Technology leader, Survitec, has introduced a new lightweight design inflatable rescue boat capable of rapid single-point inflation to meet the unique demands of waterborne search and rescue operations by the emergency services.

The Survitec 420 GP/GPM FR (Fast Rescue) boat, which was unveiled at the Emergency Services Show, is based on military-grade technology. The seven-person boat is unique in that it is the emergency services sector’s first 4.2m long fast rescue craft that can be rapidly inflated using just one nine-litre self-contained carbon air cylinder. The GPM 420 is light weight and is easily deployed, handled and operated to the criteria of DEFRA. The new 420 GP/GPM FR takes just 40 seconds to inflate.

Scott Tonks, Maritime Defence Category Manager, Survitec, said: “We have redesigned the manifolds to ensure the optimal amount of air is going to each compartment of the boat to minimise the amount of air expelled though pressure relieve valves.”

“Smaller, fewer cylinders are needed for a more rapid inflation, which significantly increases the speed of deployment, resulting in faster emergency response times, potentially saving more lives.”

Designed for rescues in fast flowing waters and areas prone to flash flooding, the 420 GP/GPM FR boat is 4200m long and 1800m wide has a maximum payload of 903kg. The boat is manufactured from a durable Hypalon 1670dtex fabric, and benchmarked against SOLAS and DEFRA rescue boat standards.

Tonks added: “Before now fire brigades had to tow trailers and launch boats from slipways potentially some distance away from the location of the emergency, which obviously places limitations on water rescue capability.

“With this solution, responders can access the immediate emergency area, get the boat in the water safely and quickly, and get on with the job of saving lives. We’ve been working with several fire brigades during testing stages who are very interested in this product.”